Kiamran Nabati believes Panpayak will be well-equipped to trade leather with Superlek once more: "He's a very fast guy"
Bantamweight Muay Thai upstart Kiamran Nabati believes 'The Angel Warrior' Panpayak Jitmuangnon is more than prepared to cross paths with two-sport world champion 'The Kicking Machine' Superlek Kiatmoo9.
Before he returns to action against Muay Thai icon Nong-O Hama at ONE Friday Fights 81 on Sept. 27, the Archangel Michel fighter sat down with the South China Morning Post (SCMP) to discuss several topics, including the possibility of the two meeting for the ninth time in their illustrious careers.
Kiamran Nabati shared:
"I think Panpayak has a very fast left kick. He's a very fast guy. Now, I think he is ready for a fight against Superlek. But I think Superlek has now moved up to bantamweight. So, I don't know. We'll see."
He added:
"It will be a good fight, Panpayak versus Superlek, because Panpayak beat Superlek before."
Watch the interview here:
Under the ONE banner alone, the duo have shared the ring twice. Unfortunately for Panpayak, Superlek beat him on both occasions, though 'The Angel Warrior' believes he won their second contest in the promotion that he lost via split decision at ONE 164 in December 2022.
Overall, Superlek and Panpayak are level at four wins apiece, with a lone draw coming from their first showdown in September 2015.
'The Angel Warrior' is due for his ONE Championship return at ONE Friday Fights 83, where he takes on Romanian standout Silviu Vitez. As for Superlek, the Thai megastar is fresh off his emphatic 49-second knockout of Jonathan Haggerty at ONE 168: Denver earlier this month.
Kiamran Nabati not taking Nong-O test lightly: "I can't say he's old and very easy"
On his end, Kiamran Nabati is eager to continue his path of greatness against the toughest test of his career, former ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nong-O Hama.
While his 37-year-old opponent has struggled for form recently, the undefeated Russian dynamo – who's racked up a 3-0 run in ONE Friday Fights — admits he still views him as a threatening presence inside the ring.
In the same exchange with SCMP, Kiamran Nabati added:
"I know he's old, but he's also dangerous. I can't say he's old and very easy. Nong-O has a lot of experience, and he was a champion for many years. It's gonna be a good fight."
ONE Friday Fights 81, which emanates live from the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sept. 27, will be available via pay-per-view at watch.onefc.com.